Japanese restaurants in NYC are rich with their growing ramen, izakaya, and Michelin-starred sushi destinations, among many other offerings.
The best include casual affairs, grand experiences, and some that show their uniqueness to be different from others. Whatever your preference, these finest options will be helpful for you to explore in NYC.
Shuko offers a choice of tasting menu showcasing its traditional Japanese flavors and techniques from both the kitchen and sushi bar.
They source the best ingredients, imaged in their menu, alongside the best fish selections and seasonal ingredients from New York. It also offers its Kaiseki Tasting and family-style menu as of now.
Address: 47 E 12th St, Greenwich Village
Hirohisa offers authentic Japanese fare using the freshest ingredients and artisanal cuisine. Their menu features juicy meats and fresh seafood.
You can also select from their favorites like grilled Washu New York strip loin, grilled lamb loin, slow-roasted duck breast, and soy-braised pork belly. You can also order sushi paired with numerous drink choices.
Address: 73 Thompson St, Downtown Manhattan
Sushi Nakazawa serves delicious high-end omakase. It is a top choice for those seeking high-end omakase, consisting of multicourse chef's meals; all served in an elegantly understated setting.
The chef's omakase menu evolves daily, influenced by the day's catch carefully selected by the chef from the fishermen, ensuring a fresh and unparalleled dining experience.
Address: 23 Commerce St, Greenwich Village
Momoya is an ideal spot for a lunch gathering with your coworkers or family. It offers a variety of Kitchen Entrees, including options like Teriyaki, Scottish Salmon, or Grass-Fed Rib Eye.
Their sushi menu is quite ample and features dishes such as the eight-piece sushi, tuna roll, or the 15-piece sashimi. Their lunch specials come with either Miso soup or a salad, making it a convenient and enjoyable option for midday dining.
Address: 185 7th Ave, Chelsea
Yopparai is a Japanese restaurant in Manhattan with an intimate Japanese sake bar. They provide counter seating where you can enjoy a limited-availability sushi omakase course.
Their menu includes special dishes such as homemade tofu, grilled meat and fish, and oden. They've also added sushi and Japanese hot pot to their menu.
Address: 49 Clinton St, Downtown Manhattan
Zuma New York draws inspiration from the izakaya concept, offering a menu that includes sushi and robata-grilled dishes.
The restaurant features three distinct kitchens, each offering authentic yet enticing options with bold flavors and straightforward presentations that showcase high-quality ingredients. Some standout dishes include Tokusen Sushi, Spicy Beef Tenderloin, and Black Cod.
Address: 261 Madison Ave, Garment District
Hasaki is known for its premium sashimi and Edomae-style sushi. This vibrant eatery aims to serve fresh flavors that take you to the oceans and landscapes of Japan without airfare.
You can savor various dishes, including octopus in vinegar sauce, tuna with grated yam, steamed egg custard, shrimp dumplings, or sliced beef tongue with sansho pepper.
Address: 210 E 9th St, East Village
Since it opened its doors in 1976, they have been a sushi specialty restaurant that maintains authentic sushi and excels at the thing that matters most.
Still today, they keep their proper attention to detail creating the ideal sushi rice. They source the freshest fish from around the globe providing the essence of sushi they offer.
Address: 17 E 48th St, Midtown
DOMODOMO specializes in handrolls, sushi, and contemporary takes on traditional Asian cuisine. Their signature tasting course is called DOMOKASE.
Their menu offers classic and preeminent dishes like Chawanmushi, Lobster Handroll, Uni Pasta, and Negi Toro Handroll. These freshly prepared dishes, featuring crisp seaweed, high-quality rice, and fresh fish, ensure a delightful dining experience.
Address: 140 W Houston St, Greenwich Village
Benemon is a Japanese restaurant specializing in newly prepared Japanese food alongside the original cocktails and a curated selection of Japanese craft sake.
They mix up Japan's authentic traditions with new and inventive recipes, combining past and present to create unique menu of comfort food dishes rich in flavor.
Address: 108 E 4th St, East Village
Nonono offers various delicious food options for an affordable dinner experience. This contemporary diner specializes in modernized yakitori and ramen dishes within an elegant setting.
They keep to traditional basics through the cooking preparations and prepping the day with fresh ingredients every morning, adding their twist to the common japanese grill cuisine.
Address: 118 Madison Ave, Midtown
Nakaji is an intimate restaurant with wooden accents that offers curated omakase sushi meals served directly at a chef's counter. It stands out in the upscale sushi scene with a few unique features.
The omakase experience costs $265 (or $295 for a tasting focused on uni, a type of sea urchin), and it includes a sequence of dishes starting from otsumami (appetizers) and progressing to a hot plated course, followed by 12 pieces of nigiri sushi, concluding with soup and dessert.
Address: 48 Bowery, Chinatown
ISE Noddle Shop is an authentic Japanese establishment that specializes in serving fresh soba noodles and "Edomae sushi." The dining experience typically begins with a sashimi course accompanied by sake.
As the meal progresses, patrons are treated to the main dishes, and the culinary journey concludes with exquisitely prepared sushi. The Soba and Sushi Course "TSUU," which translates to 'connoisseur' in Japanese, is unquestionably a must-try dish.
Address: 63 Cooper Sq, Financial District
Gyu-Kaku is one of the world's most-known Japanese BBQ brands. Hundreds of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill to enjoy a selection of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from the kitchen to ensure a magical dining experience.
You can share various delicacies appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake and frosty cold alcholic drinks.
Address: 321 W 44th Street Unit 103
This Japanese restaurant is highly favored for its diverse offerings including traditional dishes like Takoyaki and karaage, and several types of Ramen such as Agodashi and Tonkotsu.
Some of the popular dishes among patrons are the Half and Half Donburi lunch and Ontama which are often ordered together. They also have a selection of Japanese desserts like Green Tea cheesecakes and matcha ice cream.
Address: 253 W 55th St, Midtown
Cocoron is a ramen restaurant that delights in a variety of Japanese flavors. The menu features a selection of ramen dishes, including soba noodle broth and traditional Japanese curries.
Popular items include Vegan Ramen Noodles and Mama's Taste IEKEI curry, and appetizers such as Pork Gyoza and Hawaiian Edamame. Guests are more used to joining this place, especially for evenings to enjoy the time with friends and families.
Address: 16 Delancey St, Downtown Manhattan
Kosaka is one of the best sushi places in NYC with a small and cozy ambiance. This sushi bar offers a high-end, multicourse "chef's choice" menu within a simple 18-seat space.
It includes an amuse-bouche, sashimi, 12 sushi courses (including a toro scallion handroll with pickled radish), soup, and a dessert served with tea. It also offers a personalized dining experience for sushi enthusiasts seeking quality and a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Address: 220 W 13th St, Greenwich Village
Noda offers some of the best sushi in Manhattan. It has an eight-seat sushi bar devoted to high-end omakase dinners, with a separate lounge area. The talented chef at Noda crafts each dish carefully, turning them into exquisite works of art.
One of the crowd-pleasers is the uni chawanushi, topped with caviar. The chef skillfully uses two types of rice to achieve the ideal texture and flavor for the sushi, ensuring the fish's taste shines through.
Address: 37 W 20th St, Manhattan
Juku stands out in the city as one of the rare sushi establishments in Chinatown, spanning three floors.
Patrons can indulge in a 12-piece sushi selection featuring top-tier fish, such as toro, king salmon, and barracuda. Although the bar only accommodates 12 seats, you can enjoy music and order cocktails from the downstairs izakaya.
Address: 32 Mulberry St, Chinatown
Ai Ki Ya is a premier restaurant offering diverse dishes, including izakaya, yakitori, and sukiyaki. The interior is designed to create a traditional Japanese atmosphere, including walls decorated with traditional artwork.
The standout dish here is the Candy Floss Sukiyaki Hot Pot, featuring US Wagyu Beef Slices, Chinese Cabbage, Mushroom, Carrot, Daisy Crown, Tofu Konjac, and Scallion. You can savor delectable options such as Beef Short Rib, American Wagyu, and Beef Sirloin paired with Oba & Cheese on Yakitori Grilled Skewers.
Address: 41 W 33rd St 1st floor, Midtown South
